The award-winning January Series of Calvin College is once again coming to Newaygo County! From January 3 through January 23, the Dogwood Center will be one of 54 remote webcast locations worldwide to broadcast the live lecture and cultural arts series.

​The 2019 edition of Calvin College’s award-winning January Series features a New York Times best-selling author, a two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, and a costume designer whose been nominated for multiple Oscars and Emmys. The series also welcomes a former president of Ireland, an astronaut, and the whistleblower in the Larry Nassar case. Jenna Bush Hager, a contributing correspondent on NBC’s Today Show and daughter of former U.S. President George W. Bush, is also in the 2019 lineup.

This is a great opportunity to listen to nationally acclaimed speakers surrounding a variety of interesting topics. The Dogwood Center, a remote site for the Calvin College January Series and supported in part by the Fremont Area Community Foundation, is pleased to bring the Calvin College January Series to Newaygo County for the tenth year in a row. For the last nine years, the Dogwood Center has been among the highest attended remote sites in the nation.

The January Series lectures will be video streamed live at the Dogwood Center, 4734 S. Campus Court, Fremont, from 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, January 3 - 23. The lectures are free and open to the public. Both the Black Box and Main Stage areas will be available for seating. Attendees may bring their lunch or order a lunch for $5 by calling 231.924.8885 at least 24 hours prior to the date.

Baffling Bill is a magician bringing 30 years of experience to the stage. His performance at the Dogwood on Friday, December 7 was nothing short of brilliant!

Children poured into the auditorium for the 7:30 performance, all with excitement for the upcoming show. The age range of the audience was profound: those under a year old to grandparents who looked to have equal anticipation for what they were about to see. No one walked away disappointed.

Baffling Bill provided a range of magic and illusions that left each and every audience member reeling and attempting to discover his secrets. The performer involved the children in his show by bringing volunteers up on stage to assist with some of his tricks!

Throughout the evening Baffling Bill used birds, his rabbit Gus, help from his assistant, Rudolph and even Santa Claus himself to provide a wide variety of illusions and magic.

From beginning to end the show lasted an hour and a half, which was just long enough for the young crowd.

Missy Clark was in the audience with her daughter Chloe. "I brought Chloe for the first time four years ago. She loved it then and she still loves it now. There is something wonderful even for an 10 year old who has already seen him perform," said Clark.

Baffling Bill is a master of entertainment who left everyone with smiles on their faces and wonder in their minds.

Ok it’s Fremont’s turn for a little downtown seasonal celebration.This town really knows how to put on a parade and the Illuminated Christmas Parade is tonight beginning at 6:00 pm. Santa will be in his house in Veterans Memorial Park following the parade until 8:30pm and look for some area businesses to pony up some snacks including hot chocolate and cookies one would hope.While in town make sure you stop in at the NCCA Artsplace where one of the most imaginative collections of Christmas present possibilities thrive at the Artists’ Market.Oh and the winners of the “Baby It’s Cold Outside” Winter Photo Contest will be announced at 5:30 pm according to our sources.

Saturday at 6pm the annual Toys-for-Tots drive, Cookie Walk, Gift Basket Raffle.....and Holiday Performance atWhite Cloud High School.From organizers:“The concert is FREE but organizers hope you consider bringing a new unwrapped toy.The White Cloud Music Program has averaged about 200 toys donated each season, totaling over 1100+ toys over the years. These toys STAY in Newaygo county through the efforts of True North and the Marines Corp Reserve.“We hope that you will bundle up the family and come out and join us for this musical kick-off to the holiday season!”

Sunday is the Community Choir Christmas Concert at the Grant Fine Arts Center always a great way to get into the spirit. Check details in the story by Barb Boss in our Christmas section.https://www.nearnorthnow.com/christmas.htmlZalig Kerstfeest!Hyvää jouluaFröhliche Weihnachten

Suggestion Box is sponsored by Newaygo Brewing Co. Good times, good food, good drink, and good people.